SEEK to OVERCOME the TERRORS

I wish I had a copy of the video patch of the woman who lifted her hands in prayer. It was moments after the Boston Marathon bombing. She may or may not have seen up close the devastating wounds close to her. She instinctively began to pray. Where she was standing. No matter who saw. No matter what anyone thought. 
     I could see her earnest expression in profile, her chin lifted toward the heavens and her slender hands put together...in prayer. 
     That is how we will live in our times. The U. S. and Europe, in recent years, have seemed to be somewhat "safe" from terror. Then Boston; then London. Terror has openly walked the streets on foot in crowds and on relatively quiet streets. Recently a helping organization in a regular hot spot was hit hard.       
     Deliberate acts of terrors can be successful anywhere. For those who have not sought the peace of God yet, now is the time. For any who have not prayed to Almighty God, the time is now. We can have, in these times and conditions, a "peace that passes understanding." It is only God's to give and He gives it in love to those who want to draw close to Him. Jesus said that His peace is "not as the world gives...." It is the highest, strongest, and most powerful peace that overcomes the world's terrors.
    
     Lord, grant us Thy peace. We live in the open; we work; we take care of others; we love those closest to us. By Thy peace we can show Thy loving character and show Thy charity to all, including those outside the faith. We pray unceasingly for justice and for the end of anger, strife, hatred, and all evil that thrives on unwillingness to forgive, whether present or past, so there can be peace now and into the future. Amen. 


Copyright (c) 2013 Opinari Writers.

A Cross Stands Over the World

A Cross stands over the world calling the world to God.  

"And I, if I be lifted up, will draw the world unto Myself."

"Every knee shall bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." 

     
   Before darkness covered the scene of that crucifixion day, soldiers forced the piercing of the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ. He had walked upon the earth in love, preaching and healing. His arms, which had reached out to the world in love, were forcibly stretched out against that cruel Cross. His hands that had touched and healed were subjected to agony as nails pounded into them to fix them upon that Cross. With a great heave, men dropped that Cross into the ground, and the Lord's body was lifted up, on display. His head wore the crown of thorns put there by hateful men. 
   The Lord of the world spoke gracious words from that Cross of shame. He crowned the words with Truth. Jesus, the Strength of the world, committed His Spirit into the hands of the Father... from that Cross. 

   What a tree it was that held the suffering, bloody body of the perfect Son of God. He paid the price for our sin, yours and mine, from that Cross. He died, in obedience to the Father, to pay the measureless debt of a sin-sick world. 
   The tree that must have groaned under its horrendous task of death would become the symbol of undying Love to the world. That Cross stands over the world in spiritual realms, and I can only envision it as if it were supported by invisible Pillars of Power...God's power. 
   That Cross continues to be the means by which Christ is lifted up, and He is drawing the world to Himself. It is the empty Cross of the Risen Christ, drawing the world to God through His Son. The nations will understand one day and every knee shall bow, every tongue and language shall confess...the Savior of the world. Let us who owe all to Christ praise and adore Him.

    

Copyright (c) 2013 Opine Publishing and Opinari Writers.